Latest superleggera: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Performante

Weight is a key factor that dictates the performance of an automobile. Lamborghini and Ferrari go to huge lengths to make their cars lighter. Even a few hundred kilograms shaved here and there can make a helluva difference. Ultimately, all of this is adds up to put a smile on the drivers face. Making a Lamborghini Superleggera is easy, just throw away all the creature comforts including the radio, carpets, air-conditioning etc. and there you go! But, making a superlight convertible has always been tricky. Maintaining the structural rigidity of the car with no roof is as challenging as driving a car with a floor pan made up of leaves.

Gallardo Spyder Performante

Lamborghini’s newest super lightweight, super fast convertible faced similar problems. However, the boffins at Sant’ Agata have worked overtime to find ways to defy physics and have come up with what they like to call, the LP570-4 Spyder Performante (“less weight, more fascination”).

Gallardo Spyder Performante

Essentially, it is a convertible Gallardo 570-4 superleggera. But, surprisingly, Lambo has managed to shave 65kg off the cars dry weight making it lighter than the coupe. Now that is quite an achievement all thanks to the wonders of carbon composite materials. Carbonfibre is used for the retractable roof, diffuser, rear spoiler and some of its underbody, as well as for the door panels, bucketseat shells and its transmission tunnel.

Lamborgini Spyder Performante-- interior

The mid-mounted 5.2 litre V10 has been tweaked to produce 562 bhp which gives it a top speed of 201 mph and 0-100kph in 3.9 sec. Lamborghini also promise improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

The aerodynamic package on the convertible has been revised to generate more downforce. The car rides on 19 inch wheels and special Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.